Just over ten years ago, my neighbor and I attended a volunteer orientation meeting for a fledgling Chicago streaming radio station. I immediately met a great group of people and soon joined a group of 200 volunteers that devote their time and talent to keep the station running. Within a couple of weeks of the orientation, I tabled a sponsored show and started writing reviews of music that would eventually get played “on the air.” Since I had college DJ experience, within two months of volunteering, I was asked if I’d like to fill in on Wednesday afternoons. After a few shows, I moved to Friday afternoons and “The Friday Afternoon Happy Hour” was born.

It's hard to believe that in May I will be celebrating ten years of spinning tunes from 3PM to 6PM on Fridays. In addition to my weekly show, I work with a team of 11 Music Directors to keep the CHIRP sound fresh and exciting, focusing on new and local artists, ones that you would not hear on commercial radio.

While the dedication and talent of 200 volunteers goes a long way to keep the station on the air, there’s still a financial need. That’s why we come to our friends, family, music lovers, and CHIRP supporters twice a year during our pledge drives. This year we’re looking to raise $30,000 and 30 new sustaining members by the end of the drive on March 23^rd. This is especially important as the Pandemic has curtailed our other fundraising events such as the CHIRP Record fair and Pitchfork.

Help me celebrate of ten years on the air at CHIRP! Give today with any amount that you can.

CHIRP is your community radio station.

Great music. No commercials. Real DJs. CHIRP is proud to provide you with live, local radio every single day, with passionate, curious DJs who love to share their musical discoveries.

Your generous support makes everything we do possible. Whether operating through a global pandemic or during normal times, we're always here for you: live, local, connecting you with your community. And as a listener-supported radio station, we rely on your generosity to keep the station strong, never beholden to corporate interests.

If you believe in this work, and if you're able, we hope you'll support CHIRP with a gift today.

If you would like to become a sustaining member by making a recurring donation (monthly or quarterly), or if you want to select a thank you gift, please visit CHIRP's main donation page to make your contribution (and to give in support of the person making this post, be sure to type their full name in the "volunteer to credit" section so they can receive credit for your gift).